Kirby Nature Center ready for visitors

Mark Rudemiller, left, and Tim Sisson with the Western Wildlife Corridor are preparing for the grand opening of the Kirby Nature Center June 10. The grand opening will include a variety of presentations and hikes.(Photo: The Community Press/Forrest Sellers)

A former home is ready to be unveiled as a new nature center. The grand opening of the Kirby Nature Center will be Saturday, June 10.

Several events have already been held at the center, which is located in Addyston, but this is the official introduction of the facility. A variety of activities is planned. The event will kick off at 11 a.m. at the center, which is located at 2 E. Main St.

The center had previously been a home, according to Tim Sisson, president of the Western Wildlife Corridor. The Western Wildlife Corridor acquired the home and 30 acres of property in 2014.

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The Kirby Nature Center in Addyston was recently renovated. A grand opening with a variety of events will be June 10.
The Enquirer/Forrest Sellers

Renovations included removing several partitions in the home to create a central meeting room. A new kitchen was added as well as restroom facilities. Additionally, the center has an office, an education room where various artifacts will be displayed and a viewing area where bird feeders have been set up.

"We have an actual home now (and) a physical presence," Sisson said about the center, which will be used by volunteers with the Western Wildlife Corridor. "When you have a small organization like ours, it is important to have a central location."

The Kirby Nature Center, which is located at 2 E. Main St. in Addyston, will have its grand opening June 10. A variety of indoor and outdoor activities is planned.(Photo: The Community Press/Forrest Sellers)

Mark Rudemiller, chairman of the committee for the grand opening of the Kirby Nature Center and a board member of the Western Wildlife Corridor, said the center will also provide storage space, which was needed by the Western Wildlife Corridor. Previously, the organization had used the Earth Connection building at Mount St. Joseph University for storage.

"This is the first time we have a place for Western Wildlife Corridor meetings, public gatherings and educational meetings," Rudemiller said.

The June 10 event will also serve as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Western Wildlife Corridor.

Presentations will include:

A history of the Western Wildlife Corridor at noon.

A discussion of wildflowers in the Western Wildlife Corridor at 1:30 p.m.

Geology in the Western Wildlife Corridor at 3 p.m.

Three hikes will also be offered throughout the day starting at noon.

Children's games and events are also planned.

Sisson said a goal now is to start creating a trail system throughout the 30 acres of property.